David Lassman/The Post-StandardKathleen Joy, the majority leader of the Syracuse Common Council, announces she is a candidate for state senate during a press conference at the Willow Bay Picnic Area on Onondaga Lake. Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner (right) introduced her. Joy will run against 18-year incumbent Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse.

Liverpool, NY - Syracuse Common Council Majority Leader Kathleen Joy announced today that she will run against state Sen. John DeFrancisco in November.

Joy was introduced by Mayor Stephanie Miner at the news conference in Onondaga Lake Park.

DeFrancisco will hold a huge advantage over Joy in campaign funding. At the beginning of this year, the senator's committees had a balance of nearly $750,000.

Joy's campaign committee for her run for an at-large seat on Common Council was $3,382 in debt in January 2008, when it last filed a campaign financial disclosure report.

The 50th Senate District includes part of the city of Syracuse and 13 towns in Onondaga County.